Blackfeather Woods shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Maegi shook her head; as much as she wanted to believe it, she just couldn't. As soon as they let her go, the deal would be off. She'd reunite with her family and slaughter them all. Before she could impart this sentiment, she went on, and--hey! Maegi was effectively cut out of the conversation now, not knowing how to read this strange, silent language.

Talking. Yeah, right.

"What is she saying to you, Mou?" Maegi demanded, a growl bubbling in her throat. "You can't--you can't make deals without including me. Whatever happens to Mou, happens to me, too. We live together, we'll die together, too." She said it with no hesitation whatsoever, firming her chin and glaring at the girl.

She didn't trust her. No, worse--she did. There was something deep-seated, perhaps something she had picked up from the islanders. Sympathy, perhaps? She had become soft.

But she couldn't. She couldn't let her go.